Library - Substitute Youth Services Specialist (Northside Library)

Library - Substitute Youth Services Specialist (Northside Library)

Salary

$18.13 Hourly

Location

Northside Library, 705 West Rio Road, Charlottesville (22901), VA

Job Type

Substitute

Job Number

260600015

Department

Jefferson-Madison Regional Library

Division

Branch Operations

Opening Date

06/30/2026

Closing Date

7/24/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

Bargaining Unit

N/A

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Summary

The starting salary is $18.13 an hour for this position. This is a substitute position, on an as-needed basis and does not qualify for benefits.

This Substitute Youth Services Specialist position performs responsible work planning, organizing, publicizing and conducting Jefferson-Madison Regional Library (JMRL) programs for children, young adults, and/or families. Provides readers advisory and reference services for patrons of all ages and of a diverse population. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Northside Library Branch Manager or Supervising Children's Librarian, depending on assignment.

To read more about Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, please visit https://jmrl.org/

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The JMRL retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

Duties may vary based on assigned branch:

• Plans, organizes, publicizes, and conducts library programs for children, young adults, and/or families. Works within allowable budget, maintains calendar of programs, and utilizes outside presenters when applicable.
• Provides outreach in schools and other community organizations, and organizes tours and group visits to the library.
• Conducts and evaluates programs using a variety of techniques, resources and activities, and recording statistics.
• Designs creative and helpful displays, including books, bookmarks, information and seasonal materials, bulletin boards and room wide decorations.
• Pulls and processes books and other materials that have been placed on hold by patrons in other branches.
• Provides reader's advisory and reference services and other assistance to patrons.
• Performs functions related to circulation of materials, including checking materials in and out, creating new accounts, and resolving patron account issues.
• May assist patrons at multiple service desks as assigned.
• Organizes and maintains library materials; shelves materials by call number including straightening and sorting.
• Maintains collection including suggesting new materials, identifying gaps in collection and participating in weeding.
• Conducts reference interviews in order to interpret questions and identify appropriate response; answers readers advisory questions including preparing teacher loans and patron subject requests.
• Opens, operates and closes library building/department.
• Promotes library services and materials.
• May assist with the training of and assignment of tasks to library volunteers.
• May assume responsibility for department or building in absence of department or branch manager.
• Flexible schedule including days, evenings, and weekends.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of JMRL equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties:

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education, Experience and Skills

Education and Experience:

Minimum Qualifications: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• Bachelor's degree and previous experience working with children, young adults, and families.

OR

• Associate's degree and 3 years of experience working with children, young adults and families.

OR

• High School diploma or GED and 5 years of experience working with children, young adults and families.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated artistic ability to create visually appealing and accurate promotional and programming materials.
• Experience working with children.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS:

Job Knowledge:

• General knowledge of children's and young adult literature.
• Knowledge of children's and young adult resources, needs and interests.
• Familiarity with productivity software and the Internet.
• Knowledge of circulation computer hardware and other technology associated with circulation of library materials.
• Knowledge of library policies and procedures associated with the circulation of library materials.
• Knowledge of and ability to implement library policies and procedures associated with public services such as the use of technology, meeting rooms, displays, food and phone use, etc.

Reading:

• Intermediate: Ability to read and understand written materials such as newspapers, technical journals, multi-step instruction manuals, and reference materials.

Writing:

• Intermediate: Ability to organize data and write clear and concise reports, business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech. Ability to produce publicity for library programs and to prepare attractive and accurate booklists, displays, flyers and signs.

Math:

• Basic: Ability to perform the four basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).

Communication Skills:

• Intermediate: Provide and receive complex information. May include interactions that involve stressful, negative situations requiring significant tact and the ability to diffuse aggressive behavior and reach consensus. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and understanding. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with JMRL staff, leaders, and the public. Ability to develop and conduct programs and outreach to audiences of all ages.

Independence and Decision-Making:

• Requires General Direction: Normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance is reviewed frequently.

Technical Skills:

• Skilled: Comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Intermediate skill in Microsoft Office applications and/or departmental software.

Fiscal Responsibilities:

• May receive and disburse funds and prepares money for deposit.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• No responsibility for direction or supervision of others.

Other Characteristics:

• Frequent change of tasks.
• Strong public service orientation.
• Performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Working closely with others as part of a team.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information

Physical Demands:

• Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Work requires pushing/pulling, standing for extended periods, stooping, bending, and carrying.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; uses book trucks, carts and bins, and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.

Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at (434) 970-3490 or hr@charlottesville.gov.

The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City's policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City's policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.

SUMMARY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Updated February 9, 2026

Benefits cited represent those for regular 40-hour employees and may differ for Management Level, Part-Time, and/or Library positions. Long-term temporary employees are eligible for all benefits except retirement. Interns, temporary, seasonal, substitute, and relief employees are not eligible for benefits.

1. LEAVE:

Vacation: Need some time off? Use it, you earned it:

Years Worked

0 - <3

3 - <5

5 - <10

10 - <15

15 - <20

20 - <25

25+

Hours Accrued Biweekly

3.09

3.85

4.62

5.4

6.16

6.93

7.7

Sick: Under the weather? Earn 4.62 hours biweekly, approximately 120 hours a year, with no limit on accumulation to be used to care for yourself and qualifying family members.

Holidays: Enjoy 13 paid holidays per year. Including 1 Floating Holiday, which must be taken during the Fiscal Year (July 1 - June 30):

OBSERVED CITY HOLIDAYS

New Years Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Day

Presidents' Day

Liberation & Freedom Day

Memorial Day

Juneteenth Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

Friday after Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

1 Floating Holiday

Volunteer Leave: Paid leave for participating in an authorized event as a volunteer, subject to Section 9-3, Code of Ethics & Conflicts of Interest. Regular full-time employees receive up to 8 hours and all regular part-time employees are eligible to receive pro-rated leave each available each calendar year.

2. INSURANCE:

Aetna Medical Plans: Coverage is effective on the first of the month following date of hire.

• Choose from two options:

• Select HMO with City-funded HRA ($0 premium for employee-only coverage)

• Choice POS ($13.02 biweekly premium for employee-only coverage)

• Prescription Card: ($10 generic, $30 lower cost name brand,$55 higher cost name brand, 20% up to $150 for specialty drugs)

• Mail Order Maintenance Prescription Drug Program ($20 generic, $60lower cost name brand, $110 higher cost brand) not available for specialty drugs)

Delta Dental Plan:

• Diagnostic and Preventative-100% of allowable charge; Basic Dental Care-80%; Major Dental Care- 50%
• Primary - $50 deductible, 80/20; Prosthetic and Complex Restorative -$50, 50/50
• $1,500 Annual benefit maximum
• $1,000 Orthodontic benefit (children to age 19)

MetLife Vision Plan: (Optional)

• $2.50 premium paid bi-weekly for employee-only coverage. Dependent care coverage also available.
• Eye health exam, dilatation, prescription and refraction of glasses covered after $10 co-pay
• $130 allowance for frames, after co-pay, plus additional discounts where accepted.

Life Insurance: In the event of your death, your beneficiary will receive twice your annual salary. Supplementary policies for you and your dependents are available.

Long-Term Disability: Upon approval for along-term illness or injury, you can receive up to 60% of your earnings after a 90-day wait period.

Voluntary Benefits: Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity insurance; Short-Term Disability; Identity Theft Protection

3. RETIREMENT:

Pension:

• Choose from two (2) options:

• A Defined Benefit Pension plan pays a monthly benefit in retirement using a defined formula based on the employee's earnings history, tenure of service, and age. Our plan has a 5-year vesting period and an employee contribution of 5% of salary.

• A Defined Contribution 401a plan in which fixed contributions are paid into an individual's account by the employer, the contributions are invested, returns (positive or negative) are credited to the account, and the account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. The vesting schedule for our 401a plan is 33% after one year of service, 67% after two years of service, and 100% vesting after three years of service. There is no required contribution from salary. (Note: the Defined Contribution retirement plan is the only plan available for Library employees).

Supplement: Deferred Compensation 457 available for you to invest your own money for additional retirement savings.

4. VOLUNTARY:

Wellness:

• Gym Membership Reimbursement Program (up to $34.00 per month)

• Bicycle Commuter Program: Reimbursement up to $20 per month for reasonable bicycle commuting expenses

• Online wellness resources and Lunch-and-Learn Sessions

Employee Assistance Program:

• A variety of confidential, personal professional services for you and your family available 24 hours a day.

Tuition Reimbursement:

• Up to $1,500 for job-related certificates, trade programs, undergraduate coursework or up to $3,000 for graduate level courses per fiscal year for career-related courses.

Flexible Spending Accounts:

• Expense accounts available for healthcare, dependent care and parking/mass transit.

01

Select the statement below that best represents your education and experience. (Must be verifiable in reference to the Work History/Education History sections on your online application.)

• I have a Bachelor's degree or higher and previous experience working with children, young adults, and families.
• I have an Associate's degree and 3 or more years of experience working with children, young adults and families.
• I have an equivalent combination of education and experience that may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.
• I have a High School Diploma or GED and 5 years of experience working with children, young adults and families.
• None of the above.

02

I certify that the information above is true and correct, and I certify that it can be verified with reference to the information in my basic application. I understand that my application may be rejected if the responses to supplemental questions do not match my basic application.

• Yes
• No

03

To be considered, qualifying education and experience, including City of Charlottesville employment, must be clearly documented in the education, work history, and additional information sections of the employment application. Resumes can be attached but should not be used as a substitute for the required information on the application. I understand that an attached resume may not be accepted in place of a completed employment application and that my qualifications should be stated on the employment application itself.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Charlottesville

Address P. O. Box 911

605 East Main Street

Charlottesville, Virginia, 22902

Phone (434) 970-3490

Website http://www.charlottesville.gov/jobs